China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yongqian Photo: Yin Yeping/GT

Themk Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Thursday condemned the recent US decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on all steel and aluminum imports as a typical act of unilateralism and protectionism, and urged the US to correct its wrong approach and return to the right track of the multilateral trade system.

On Monday US time, US President Donald Trump signed proclamations raising tariff rates on steel and aluminum imports to 25 percent from all countries, which would take effect on March 4, according to Reuters.

Commenting on the US' move at a press briefing on Thursday, He Yongqian, a MOFCOM spokesperson, said that "the US actions are typical examples of unilateralism and protectionism. Many countries have clearly expressed their opposition, and there is significant opposition within the US as well."

He further pointed out that a WTO panel had already ruled in 2022 that the US' previous Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum violated WTO rules. But not only did the US keep the existing Section 232 tariffs, but has actually further lifted tariffs on steel and aluminum, the spokesperson said. 

"This severely harms the interests of all countries, seriously undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and impacts the global supply chain," He said. "China urges the US to abandon zero-sum mentality, correct its wrong practices, return to the proper track of the multilateral trading system, and work with all countries to resolve each other's concerns through equal consultations."

In response to another media question about China's follow-up policies after taking the US to the WTO over its earlier announcement of a 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports, the MOFCOM spokesperson stated that the US' unilateral tariff hike on February 1 violated WTO rules. 

She noted that China had filed a complaint with the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism on February 4 and will handle the case in accordance with WTO rules and procedures moving forward.

Global Times